Maine Central Mountain Division

[CSRX]

Thanks Larry!

Testing the gate function in downtown Westbrook.

[CSRX]

Been updating the Fore River marshland area a bit. Added the mucky mud from a low tide, as well as some rip rap rock along the ROW.

[eric]

I was just about to say how parts of this could pass for northern Wisconsin...

[CSRX]

Started track laying in the Yard 6 area of Portland/South Portland. Scratching my head at how this was even laid out, considering google maps, google earth, show modern times, versus the 1976 track charts I am working with. This side of the Fore River has a bit of a mess of tracks, including 2 stub end tracks for Esso, as well as storage tracks, a couple others for Getty, and whatever else is in place at the time. Today is just simple Sprague's Terminal, with very little tracks, and is mainly for clay slurry, and fuel imports. The other side of the river in Portland, has a few more tracks, for a coal loading terminal from ship to train, as well as some storage tracks, of course, today that is all also known as Spragues.

It will be complex, but will provide a lot of switching opportunities for the facilities involved to and from the yard, in order to set up outbounds that will handle such traffic, whether its towards Bangor, St Johnsbury, Quebec via Grand Trunk, or East Deerfield via B&M.

[opskeeper]

I was just about to say how parts of this could pass for northern Wisconsin...

Yep, Looks like the Van Buskirk marsh, between Mercer & Hurley Wisconsin. The "Flambeau" & "Ashland" Limited used to have to crawl through there in the Spring and Late Fall.

[ebnertra000]

...
Scratching my head at how this was even laid out, considering google maps, google earth, show modern times, versus the 1976 track charts I am working with.
...

For older maps, I usually use gpsvisualizer.com, as they have a USGS map layer that tends to range in dates from the '60s to the late '80s. They're not always the most accurate (or the easiest to read), but they'll give you an idea of what was there

[CSRX]

For older maps, I usually use gpsvisualizer.com, as they have a USGS map layer that tends to range in dates from the '60s to the late '80s. They're not always the most accurate (or the easiest to read), but they'll give you an idea of what was there

I will have to take a look into that!

[CSRX]

I apologize for the very little updates. I haven't spent much time on the route in the past month, and honestly there has been very little interest shown from the community, on anything I post that is development related, so I have backed off on posting such stuff and just simply release the items..

Anyways.

I've put in some signals along the mainline using the TEM signals here in the library. Can't get this switch indicator figured out, but it's in place and looking dark for now.





This is probably my third attempt at the track layout for the Spragues Terminal tank farm. Such a tight space for the layout, makes it a bit tricky to lay out correctly, especially with the lack of curved switches in ScaleRail.

[Unoriginal]

Oh I’m still very interested in this project. Most of the IRL mountain division is essentially abandoned now correct?

[jbtower]

Don't give up on this one Shawn I would love to railroad that region!!!!

[CSRX]

Oh I’m still very interested in this project. Most of the IRL mountain division is essentially abandoned now correct?

Pretty much, there is a very small portion in Westbrooke, MEstill used for Dead River Propane. State of NH owns and maintains from the Saco River crossing in Conway Center to the Connecticut River in Lunenburg, but isn't used except the portion between Conway to Whitefield by Conway Scenic.


But, that's why I have the WMRC, as they, in my world, owns and operates the entire 131 mile line.

[CSRX]

Just a little update for today. Laid down some track between Steep Falls and a little past milepost 30. The curve is actually proving to be a bit tricky to do, as it's a long sweeping curves, but has several grade changes throughout it starting with +0.05 on the east end, up to +1.29 about 3/4's through, and dropping down to -1.26 on the west end. Of course, it also doesn't appear to stay the same curvature throughout it either. Chart shows "0-30" for the curve flow, but the map shows over time it has moved in different spots with the trains pushing against the curve, as well as maintenance tamping the curve and not keeping it on its same curvature. So, with that said, I will take a break for a bit before trying to tackle it again. My overall goal today was to lay track towards Fryeburg, ME, which is milepost 50. That may be a bit over achievous though. haha

[CSRX]

Haven't tossed any scenery down yet, so this is basically it for an update at the moment. I've extended track into Hiram and smoothed out the curve at mile 30. Starting to get into the foothills and mountain terrain now, and looks of it, gives the line its name.

[CSRX]

Well, did some scenery work, with a lot more trees to plant. Looking across the river near at the Maine Central section of Hiram, from the former B&SR side.

[Curt C]

Look's really nice, Shawn. Keep up the great work!